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Kings blank Rangers, take 3-0 Stanley Cup series lead

Nicole Auerbach, USA TODAY Sports
10:14 p.m. MST June 9, 2014

Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (top) is congratulated by teammates after game three of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on June 9, 2014.(Photo: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports)

Then, the Rangers went out and lost 3-0. Now, they're on the brink of elimination, and the Los Angeles Kings are on the precipice of winning their second Cup in three years. The Kings will go for the sweep on Wednesday.

From the Rangers' perspective, Monday's result wasn't for lack of chances. Early and often, the Rangers were the aggressors; they just couldn't figure out how to get the puck past Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick, who tallied 32 saves to secure the victory.

Mats Zuccarello missed New York's best first-period scoring opportunity – a wide-open net after Quick was sprawled out of position. The Rangers also couldn't capitalize on a late first-period power play, which expired mere moments before what would ultimately be the game's greatest momentum-changer.

With seven-tenths of a second remaining in the first period, Kings forward Justin Williams found a streaking Jeff Carter, who beat Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist for the goal.

Remarkably, 1-0 in the first period of Game 3 marked the Kings' first lead in the series. In both Games 1 and 2, Los Angeles trailed by two goals before mounting comebacks to win each game in overtime.

This time, the Kings decided to make things a little less dramatic. And, as it turns out, they're more than capable of playing with a lead.

After the buzzer-beater to end the first period, they added a Jake Muzzin power-play goal early in the second.

The Rangers attempted to counter with a flurry of second-period shots – 17 in that frame alone – but Quick was simply too good.

Quick had given up just 2.07 goals per game during the regular season – good for fifth-best in the NHL – but had just allowed the Rangers to score four in the first two periods in Game 2 before shutting them down during the remaining two and change.

On Monday, though, Quick's stat sheet matched the value he's provided for this Los Angeles team, and it was a bit of a masterpiece, complete with highlight reel-ready deflections. And more important, it was reminiscent of 2012 -- when Quick went 16-4 with three shutouts and a 1.41 goals-against average en route to winning the Stanley Cup, and the Conn Smythe Trophy.​

While Quick dominated on one end, Mike Richards added another insurance goal on the other. He scored with about three minutes remaining in the second period, taking with him whatever enthusiasm remained from Rangers fans in the Garden. Los Angeles didn't need any bigger cushion.

No team has swept the Stanley Cup Final since the Red Wings won it in 1998.

Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) and right wing Dustin Brown (23) embrace after defeating the New York Rangers in the second overtime period in game five. (Photo: Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez (27) celebrates with teammates including left wing Tanner Pearson (70) after scoring the game-winning goal in the second overtime against the New York Rangers in game five. (Photo: Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez (27) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal against the New York Rangers during the second overtime period in game five. (Photo: Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)

New York's Brian Boyle scores a short-handed goal with a perfect shot past Jonathan Quick with 30 seconds left in the second period. It gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead. (Photo: Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports)

New York Rangers defenseman Anton Stralman (6) clears the puck from off the goal line away from goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) and Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter (77) during the first period in game four at Madison Square Garden. (Photo: Pool photo via USA TODAY Sports)

New York Rangers center Derick Brassard (16) tries to separate right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) from Los Angeles Kings left wing Tanner Pearson (middle) during the third period in game four. (Photo: Adam Hunger, USA TODAY Sports)

New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save as right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) tries to clear the puck against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period in game four. (Photo: Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports)

New York Rangers left wing Benoit Pouliot (67) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period in game four. (Photo: Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) makes a save as defenseman Slava Voynov (26) defends the net as New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) looks for the puck during the first period in game four. (Photo: Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports)

A two-dollar bill was placed along the boards for good luck for the New York Rangers, though it didn't help as the Kings took a 3-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Final. (Photo: Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings left wing Dwight King (in black) collides with New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh and goalie Henrik Lundqvist while scoring a goal in the third period during Game 2. (Photo: Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)

New York Rangers left wing Benoit Pouliot, middle, celebrates his goal against the Los Angeles Kings with right wing Mats Zuccarello, right, and Derick Brassard during the first period. (Photo: Jae C. Hong, AP)